Hall of Fame

Kewell not taking starting berth for granted

Melbourne Heart FC captain Harry Kewell is not taking a starting berth against Western Sydney Wanderers for granted as he looks to make his comeback on Friday night at AAMI Park.

Melbourne Heart FC captain Harry Kewell is not taking a starting berth against Western Sydney Wanderers for granted as he looks to make his comeback on Friday night at AAMI Park.

“Fitness wise, I am okay,” Kewell said at training on Wednesday morning.

Kewell explained that the Club and Head Coach John Aloisi had taken a cautious approach in regards to his fitness which saw the number 10 sidelined for three weeks after sustaining a case of whiplash in round one.

“We just had to take things steady,” Kewell said.

“I don-t know if I-m playing yet, we don-t know the team.

“You-ve got to ask John Aloisi about that.”

“As a footballer you don-t take your position lightly, you-ve got to work for it.

“The team-s done well over the last few games, okay the results have been in our way but I-ll be working hard today to force my way back into the team.”

Still chasing a first win of the season, Kewell has been impressed with some of the performances his side has displayed; believing Melbourne Heart FC-s fortunes can soon turn around.

“It-s been unfortunate,” Kewell said.

“There have been occasions where we have played through teams and opened them up and the ball has just gone on the wrong side of the post.

“But that-s football, you-ve got to make these corrections and I-m sure the players are fully aware of that and they-ll start doing the proper thing”.

Melbourne Heart FC will host the undefeated Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night, and the skipper is hoping that his side can overwhelm the high flying Wanderers and notch up their first three points of the season.

“They-ve got everything going for them at the moment,” Kewell said.

“They-ve got the momentum but hopefully they can forget that on Friday and we can start our season.”

Kewell is particularly eager to line up alongside Maltese striker Michael Mifsud for the first time on Friday night if selected.

“I think he-s a wonderful player,” Kewell said.

“He-s got a lot of talent there and I can-t wait to hook up and see how our connection can bring heart forward.”

With Socceroos team mate Mark Schwarzer announcing his retirement from international football this morning, Kewell was surprised by the decision and praised the current Chelsea FC custodian.

“He-s only improved as he-s gotten older and it-s a shock,” Kewell said.

“It is a shame to lose such a great player like that and such a key man for Australia, he-s done it for his own reasons and we-ll support that.”